The number of people looking for jobs in Hawaii is the lowest since 1991.

The state maintained its record low unemployment rate at 2.1 percent in January, the same as the revised seasonally adjusted rates for December, November and October, according to the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

There were 668,700 employed and 14,400 unemployed in January — the lowest in 26 years — for a seasonally adjusted workforce of 683,050. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 4.1 percent. The labor force includes residents who are employed, those who are unemployed but actively seeking work, and those who are self-­employed.

“For employers looking for workers, it’s difficult because there are not many people looking for jobs,” said state Economist Eugene Tian, adding that the trend will likely continue throughout the year. “It shows the same trend as last year, indicating the economy is good, led by tourism.”

The strong labor market is consistent with tourism performance, with January visitor arrivals increasing 5.4 percent.

“The tourism industry is still going strong. We do see job growth in the hospitality sector — hotels, retail, transportation,” Tian said.

Nonagricultural jobs rose by 1,900, with an increase of 1,100 in the trade, transportation and utilities sector, mostly attributed to a smaller release of seasonal retail workers and less seasonal hiring last year. There were 1,000 more jobs in the professional and business services industries, while leisure and hospitality jobs grew by 500.

However, the labor force decreased by 5,700 year over year, “still indicating that many people are looking for jobs on the mainland,” Tian said.

There were losses in construction, manufacturing, information, educational and health services, while government employment declined by 500, primarily because of a drop in jobs in the University of Hawaii system.

Honolulu County’s rate rose slightly to 2 percent from 1.7 percent, while Hawaii County’s rate increased to 2.3 percent from 2 percent, Kauai County’s rate climbed to 2 percent from 1.7 percent and Maui County’s rate inched up to 2.1 percent from 1.8 percent. Within Maui County, Maui’s rate went up to 2 percent from 1.7 percent, Molokai’s rate dropped to 3.6 percent from 3.9 percent and Lanai’s rate rose to 3.1 percent from 1.2 percent.

State and national labor-force data are adjusted for seasonal factors, but the county jobs data are not seasonally adjusted and do not take into account variations, including the winter and summer vacation seasons.